Our state recently introduced graphing calculators into the math curriculum, to be paid by the students' families of course. Parents are up in arms against those "luxury calculators". Figures they come up with it right at the moment where computers are so ubiquitous that every professional has stopped using those things. The idea is probably that it is easier to have controlled test conditions with calculators than with teachers trying to secure a computer lab if they even have one. But as Jeff Goldstein said (at least in the [noembed][/noembed]): We have to ensure that testing serves education, we have to ensure that education does not serve testing.

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Our state recently introduced graphing calculators into the math curriculum, to be paid by the students' families of course. Parents are up in arms against those "luxury calculators". Figures they come up with it right at the moment where computers are so ubiquitous that every professional has stopped using those things. The idea is probably that it is easier to have controlled test conditions with calculators than with teachers trying to secure a computer lab if they even have one. But as Jeff Goldstein said (at least in the [noembed][/noembed]): We have to ensure that testing serves education, we have to ensure that education does not serve testing.

I wonder why there's still not a very powerful and versatile calculator app for mobile devices. Yes, computers may be ubiquitous but sometimes you only have what you can carry in your pocket.

As for TI-* not dying, it's what happens when you have customers that are forced to buy their products no matter it's obsolescence because schools want the exact same thing as last year every year: 80s technology costing a premium.